Manitoba Moose @Im4thLineWorthy (LW) - @Scumbag Jared (C) - @xI STR8iNK Ix (RW) 6-0-0 (27 G, 38 A = 65 PTS, +48) Notable Games: 3-2 and 3-1 Average Time On Attack: 9 Minutes and 33 Seconds Average Shots Per Game: 14 Shots 4th, Jared, and Str8ink have been on the same team, and for the most part, the same line the past three seasons. That's almost a full year of playing with each other on a consistent basis. You can't really replicate that kind of chemistry making them incredibly hard to match up against. In my opinion, very few lines could match up against them effectively. Jared hasn't broken the seventy point plateau in his LG career, but currently on pace for eighty points, him and Str8Ink look to continue that streak. 4th is not only incredibly handsome, but is removing any doubt of his capabilities as a future owner/player in the NHL, leading not only his line in points, but the entire AHL. He could very well be an early candidate for Regular Season MVP. This very skilled trio consistently exert their dominant play style of cycling the puck with control and looking for the open man at all times. When they don't have the puck they are just as, if not more lethal, constantly pressuring the puck carrier as soon as they enter the zone leading to a turn over and the opportunity for a deadly counter attack. Speaking as a first hand witness, as soon as you make a mistake, they will burn you for it. Any line who matches up against need's to be dialed in and ready to go because one screw up could lose you the game. Rarely will you see them dump turds on net, and constantly you will see them create the "perfect play". Every play they make is done with a purpose, and the three combine for not only amazing skill but lethal efficiency and deadly accuracy. A prime example is their 9-0 win over Springfield, scoring nine goals on ten shots. Final Thoughts: 4th has the skill, and dedication to continue his four point per game pace and look to hit triple digits for the first time in his career. Manitoba's top line plays a very high tempo, East-West hockey game, exerting pure dominance over their peer's and taking advantage of everything. Possible Matchups Week 3: Ontario, and San Jose are both making visits to Manitoba, and both these games should be exciting to watch should this line be chosen to face these two competitive teams. Winning both these games will solidify their hold as the best line the AHL, and project their team to an early Presidents Trophy lead. Ontario Reign @TS Duchy (LW) - @K40Sx ELiTEz (C) - @Laporshkin x 71 (RW) 5-0-0 (22 G, 33A = 55 PTS, +26) Notable Games:6-5, 4-2, and 3-1 Average Time On Attack: 7 Minutes and 36 Seconds Average Shots Per Game: 13 Ah Yes...Viva La Liberty. What to do when you're team is invaded by the french. Oops, my bad...Owned by the french. Nobody knows how the French became so good at NHL, one story I keep hearing is that the first thing they touched was an Xbox controller. The trio of Laporshkin, Duchy, and Elite have surprisingly rarely played together before Season 28. However, they seem to have found instant chemistry with one another, beating some elite talent whilst producing at a high level. Incredibly, this line can adapt its play style to whoever it's playing against. Whether it's getting pucks down low, back checking, or trapping the neutral zone, this line can do it all making them quite possibly the best defensive unit in the AHL. Four of their five games have been against top lines, each one sent the opposition home wondering what the fuck happened. Well the simple explanation is you can't beat the french in making things look pretty. Like 4th and Co, this line play's a very strong East - West game, making everything controlled and purposeful, taking very few risks. To go along with their defensive prowess, the three combine for fabulous puck control, strong hockey IQ, and most important their French thumbs, which makes them one of the hardest lines to match up against. Final Thoughts: Can this trio of french musketeers build on their already dominant performance? Their success will prove pivotal for Ontario's return to first place. All three will hit at least seventy five points by week eight. Possible Matchups Week 3: Ontario visits both Stockton and Manitoba next week, and it is more than likely this line will be deployed to face them. If 4th, Jared and Str8ink play for the Moose, this game could possibly be the a game to watch and really shows their true capabilities. San Jose Barracuda @Eichel9 (LW) - @OCB Bombay (C) - @JVR l21l (RW) 6-0-0 (26 G, 28 A = 54 PTS, +30) Notable Games: 6-3, and 4-3 Average Time On Attack: 7 Minutes and 32 Seconds Average Shots Per Game: 13 When Eichel got picked up by San Jose, i thought he wasn't capable of playing at this level. Seems i was wrong so congratulations to him, he seems to have found a nice little niche with Bombay and JVR. This trio, is the only other line to go 6-0 the first two weeks. Bombay who was looking to build off his mediocre performance last season, has exceeded expectations of many and improved his stock as a Center greatly. With strong outings against Ontario and Rochester, this line is easily poised to not only lead their team in points, but quite possibly pace the league in points. Featuring a good mix of scoring ability and possessive nature, they could easily match up against anyone. All three making strong contributions already, with Bombay leading the charge. Their offensive upside, and ability to close out games is what separates them from the rest. However, they could run into some trouble once they hit some of the tougher match ups, though i think all three are up for the challenge to prove many wrong like they already have. JVR especially has proved himself a more than capable winger, proving his 3.5million cap hit well worth it for San Jose. Final Thoughts: As of right now Bombay, JVR, and Eichel are clearly the top line in San Jose. However, that could change dramatically once Machelsky starts playing again. As of right now these boys are the Alpha Dogs and only look to improve on a phenomenal performance so far. Possible Matchups Week 3: Considering that San Jose has division rival team, Stockon, as well conference teams Cleveland and Manitoba, it will be interesting to see how this line is deployed and whether they can elevate their game to a new level for their team. Providence Bruins @hutch2323 (LW) - @flyers2844 (C) - @BladezTML (RW) 4-1-1 (22 G, 27 A = 49 PTS, +12) Notable Games:4-3 Average Time On Attack: 8 Minutes Average Shots Per Game: 18 Flyers, and Hutch are prime representations of the Sedin twins in the AHL. Their chemistry together is undeniable and without a doubt probably one of the best duo's around. When you have two forwards who are already excellent at cycling the puck, you'd think to put a goal scorer with them on the right side. However, in this case we have BladezTML filling that position. He actually compliments the duo's possessive play style very well, bringing not only pace, but added skill and hockey sense, almost like a third triplet. This line almost carried Providence to a Calder Cup Final berth last season, losing out to the eventual champions, Rochester, in six games. The trio started Season 28 right back where they left off, winning games. They're not only winning, but producing very effectively. The line itself has excellent goal spread, all being within one goal of one another. This makes them incredibly dangerous as all three are capable of scoring instead of the usual one or two goal scorers. Their plus minus is low compared to their peer's but its nothing that can't be fixed within the coming weeks. Defensively there is room to improve, this line can sometimes get caught on a quick counter attack with bodies stuck down low. However, their ability to dominate games is clearly noted, putting up 9 Minutes and 30 seconds against a very strong WBS team. They haven't had nearly as much tough competition as other lines but that might be due to availability. Hutch, Flyers, and Blades can outshoot and out possess the best of them and quite possibly might carry Providence into the playoffs once again. Final Thoughts: If this line can re-create some of the magic we saw in the playoffs last season, they will certainly improve their stock as elite caliber players. Providence is in a very tough division, and this trio of players will prove pivotal in the baby Bruins making the playoffs and finding success. From these early signs, they will continue at their pace putting up at least sixty points. Possible Match Ups Week 3: Leigh Valley, and Hershey make visits to Providence next week, and both games will be vital for Providence to win if they are going to make progress in their division. If Providence lose both these games, its playoff chances could take a huge tumble. Laval Rocket @Lorenzo x 24 (LW) - @rG Breezyy (C) - @joethewall35 (RW) 5-1-0 (23 G, 23 A = 46 PTS, +32) Notable Games:5-2, 2-0, and 7-2 Average Time On Attack: 6 Minutes and 3 Seconds Average Shots Per Game: 11 The infamous bromance continues for Breezy and Lorenzo. I've been told Provorov constantly has to remind Lorenzo to keep his hands out of Breezy's pants during the games. There is a big red flag that needs to be addressed. Joe has contributed a grand total of five of his lines forty six points. That is impressive for all the wrong reasons...Breezy must be having Vietnam style flash backs of those few games we played together causing him to boycott passing to the Right Wing. It certainly doesn't help that Lorenzo's controller doesn't have a RT button on it either. Wins over points but i mean, maybe pass? Joe, like his name, is probably a defensive wall playing third man back at all times while the lovers do their thing. Breezy is currently tied for the league lead in assists, whilst Lorenzo is leading the league in goals. Beating two of the three best teams in the league by at least three goals is just shocking. It goes to show just how talented these two guys are by themselves. All three read plays exceptionally well and match up against any team. This line loves to get the puck down low and work it out to Lorenzo in the slot. If he has the puck anywhere near the net he is a huge threat. Playing a North - South game can be risky at times, but the reward is well worth it. They are always looking to get in behind the defense, and driving the attack with numbers. If Breezy, and Lorenzo get shut down, or have bad games, this line may have run into scoring problems. They have the lowest average of shots, and possession minutes, but don't let that fool you, they are lethal on the counter attack, and the small plays in the corner is what catches teams off guard. Final Thoughts: Breezy already pacing the league in points, looks to break that eighty point threshold for the first time in his AHL career. Joe really needs to dial his game in and start producing because they will need that production in the long haul. Possible Matchups Week 3: WBS makes an appearance out West, visiting Laval in what looks to be an exciting game for the both teams. Honorable Mention: @Bryce18xx716 (LW) - @Eatchy (C) - @Position banc (RW) Enjoy!
Very nice article. Well written and thought out. Covered the main points for each line and kept it to a few sentences each. I really like the notable games and average TOA stat. Awesome job. My only complaint defensemen are people too
Good luck to @Lyons x 63 and @IlFox against Ontario and San Jose next week. @Im4thLineWorthy have fun vs The bottom 3
Possible Matchups Week 3: Ontario, and San Jose are both making visits to Manitoba, and both these games should be exciting to watch should this line be chosen to face these two competitive teams. Winning both these games will solidify their hold as the best line the AHL, and project their team to an early Presidents Trophy lead. 4thline will most likely dodge these and let Lyons and Fox have them
Honestly, one one of the most fair and accurate posts like this ive seen in time, do more of these like top dpairs n goalies too! Nice stuff